Ringling Bros. Circus Revamped: Animals No Longer Part of the Show

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is returning for a 2023 North American tour, but without animals. The show has been reimagined as a high-octane family event with highwire tricks, trapeze artists, and bicycles leaping on trampolines. The circus took down its tents after years of declining ticket sales as customers became conflicted about the treatment of circus animals. The rebirth extends the circus’ long run that dates back to a time before automobiles, airplanes or movies.